Visiting Atse Fasil School

Wednesday 2nd April

Up at the crack of dawn and onto a line-taxi to Azezo to meet Melash (please ignore all previous spellings!)

We went to visit Atse Fasil school, infant, primary and secondary equivalents. All of these schools are supported by Jean’s charity (see previous blog) and are among the best schools I’ve visited so far. They have buildings, furniture and libraries. Jean has also ensured that these schools have drinking fountains and toilets.


New Buildings

Melash was particularly impressed with the toilet blocks which he informed me could cater for 40 students at a time – which, given 3000 students in two shifts would seem necessary.


New Toilets

He also showed me a building – see photo – which is a great example of misplaced philanthropy. It had been funded by an Ethiopian, now resident in America. Rather than hand the money over to the school or local organisation, he had the plans drawn up and appointed a builder. The building itself is twice as large as the blocks which Jean had funded. But it only catered for 4 students at a time. Or would do if it was ever finished. Sadly, the builder was paid but no-one was left in overall charge and the building has never been completed.


Misplaced Philanthropy

It was lunch break at school, so I didn’t see any lessons but found this lovely dedicated teacher – marking her books in her classroom which had a number of things displayed on the wall. Seems like some of the training has been getting through after all.


Dedicated Teacher

Next stop was to visit the high school where Melash teaches conversational English for one hour a day. Another line taxi but this time for half an hour on a bone rattling road, 23 Kms further north – a place called Koliadeba. Given the reaction of the inhabitants, I don’t think they see too many ‘ferenjis’ here. Today I was the teaching aid!


Me as Teaching Aid

The class was packed and standing room only all around the building! I had a great session asking and answering questions for the students. Religion came up again and I was quickly embroiled with explaining about Henry VIII – they thought this was a great story. Melash but a limit of 3 minutes per student and the next one wanted my views and opinions of Hitler!


Fresh Water from the Hills

From the school, Melash took me back to Azezo to visit the Blind school and meet up again with Jean and Sandra. The school was set up and run by an Italian order of Nuns. The children reside at the school during term time and although most go home during the holidays, some orphans are fostered out for the period.

By this time it was getting very late and like Cinderella, I felt I should be home before it got dark. Missed my chance. I caught a taxi and had to get off at a stop on a road running parallel to the road I live on. I achieved that OK but by this time it was getting very dark and I hadn’t brought a torch. I walked down a side track to reach my house and was momentarily disorientated when I reached the bottom since there were no lights at all. I negotiated my way along the track to my house – also in darkness. No power all evening so I had a piece of bread for supper and an early night!

Ah…. ! Poor me.

Not sure I’ve completely eradicated those damn fleas yet either!